Unless you recognize a comedian’s name as That Girl From that Movie or the Dude from That One HBO Special, it can be hard to tell whether a stand-up is worth seeing. Lucky you: C-Notes did the legwork, and the skinny on this week’s big comedy shows, video included, is just a click away. – D.X. Ferris
Comedian: Greg Proops (see above)
Specialty: Greg Proops is the guy with the glasses from Whose Line Is It Anyway? He’s actually really friends with host Drew Carey, so he’s practically a local. PLUS, he’s the voice of Bob the Builder. But don’t take the kids; when he’s not making incisive commentary on the presidential race – he’s pro-Bama and anti-redneck, so he’ll have something to say about the West Virginia primary for sure -- he can work in light blue.
Playing: Pick & Frolic’s Hilarities E. 4th St. Theater, 2035 E. 4th St., Downtown, 216-736-4242, www.pickwickandfrolic.com.
Dates/Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17, with 10:15 shows Friday and Saturday.
Tickets: $18-25.
Comedian: Tony Rock.
Specialty: Tony Rock is Chris Rock’s kid brother, so he has a genetic predisposition to making you chuckle. Where his brother specializes in social comedy, Rock the younger taps his home neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, NYC as a source for comic impersonations of characters from the old ‘hood. To be fair, aside from some vocal delivery, Tony has his own style, and it’s better than most.
Playing: The Improv, 2000 Sycamore St., East Bank of the Flats, 216-696-4677,
www.clevelandimprov.com.
Dates: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18.
Tickets: $16.
Comedian: Tommy Blaze, with Kevin Weiland
Dates: Tuesday, May 13 through Saturday, May 17
Playing: The Funny Stop, 1757 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-4700,
www.funnystop.com.
Speciality: Comedy veteran Tommy Blaze has been at it since the 80s, so if you prefer Don Imus to Howard Stern, his curmudgeon shtick will get you guffawing; he’s more conservative than your average comedian – which isn’t to say he’s uptight.
Showtimes: Tue-Thu: 8:30 p.m. Fri, Sat: Two shows: 8 and 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$16, two-drink minimum.
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